AN academy described as ‘a happy place to be’ has been highly praised by government inspectors.
Governors, staff and pupils at New Silksworth Academy, Sunderland, celebrated after Ofsted officials confirmed their ‘good’ rating for both infant and junior provision.
The academy, a centre of education for children aged two to 11, was formed following the amalgamation of the former New Silksworth Infant and Junior Schools in 2016, when they came under the sponsorship of the Extol Multi-Academy Trust.
The Extol Multi-Academy Trust, an organisation renowned for standards and dynamism, also includes Eldon Grove Academy, Hartlepool, an academy rated outstanding by Ofsted.
The findings come less than three years since the education watchdog ruled the former New Silksworth Infant School to be inadequate and concerns were raised by the local authority over the junior provision.
Chief executive of the Extol Multi Academy Trust Julie Deville said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed with the outcome of the first inspectors report since New Silksworth Academy came under the sponsorship of the Trust.
“It has not been an easy journey but the commitment and drive from everyone within the academy and the local community has now given us an ambitious school to be proud of.
“To go from inadequate to good in less than three years is an amazing achievement and reflective of the whole team effort.”
Inspectors highlighted good progress in the following areas across both schools:
- Children’s behaviour and personal development
- Progress of all children
- Good standards of teaching
- Ambitious staff
- Partnerships with parents
- An open door policy and engagement with the community
- The head teachers determination and passion supported by ambitious leaders to secure a good quality of education
Chair of governors Phil Tye said: “This report is brilliant news for both schools, all our staff, students and the wider community.
“It has been a mammoth task to turn around two schools, which were so broken, in such a short space of time.
“We placed our trust in the Extol Multi Academy Trust, our school leadership team, our staff, pupils and parents and we have not been disappointed.”
Head teacher Emma Robins, who joined the academy in 2017, added: “Everyone across both schools has worked relentlessly to provide the best possible opportunities for all our children.
“Our academy has undergone total change, from the leadership to the infrastructure, including an £800,000 refurbishment which has completely transformed our learning environment.
“We now have an ethos of culture and ambition which underpins all our values and a school of which the whole community can be very proud.”